Venango County Marriage Records Search

Venango County marriage records are handled by the Register and Recorder's office at the courthouse in Franklin. This county in northwestern Pennsylvania is known as the birthplace of the American oil industry, home to the famous Drake Well. The Register and Recorder, who also serves as Clerk of Orphans' Court, issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records for all of Venango County. Records date back to 1885. Whether you need a marriage license, a certified copy, or a historical record for genealogy research, this guide explains how to find what you need.

Venango County Register and Recorder

Cori R. Sharpe serves as the Register and Recorder and Clerk of Orphans' Court in Venango County. The office is on the first floor of the courthouse at 1168 Liberty Street in Franklin. This combined office handles marriage licenses, land records, estate records, and orphans' court matters.

The county government offices are based at 1174 Elk Street in Franklin, but the courthouse where you get marriage records is at a different address on Liberty Street. Make sure you go to the right building. The Register and Recorder's office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except on legal holidays.

Venango County includes the cities of Franklin and Oil City. Both communities have deep roots in the oil boom of the 1800s. If you are looking for a marriage record from this area, the courthouse in Franklin is the one place that holds all county marriage records.

Visit the Venango County website at venangocountypa.gov for office details and contact information.

Getting a Marriage License in Franklin

To get a marriage license in Venango County, both parties must visit the Register and Recorder's office in person. Under Section 1303 of Title 23, both applicants must appear together, provide valid identification, and sign the application.

You must meet these requirements:

• Both parties must be at least 18 years old
• Bring a valid photo ID
• Provide Social Security numbers
• Bring a divorce decree or death certificate if previously married

After you apply, there is a three-day waiting period before the license is ready. The license is valid for 60 days from the date it is issued. You can use it anywhere in Pennsylvania. Standard Pennsylvania marriage license fees apply. Call 814-432-9539 to confirm the current fee and accepted payment methods.

Note: The Register and Recorder's office also handles passport applications, so you may encounter busy periods during travel season.

Searching Venango County Marriage Records

Venango County does not have a public online database for marriage records. All searches must be done in person at the courthouse or by mail. Call the Register and Recorder at 814-432-9539 to ask about the process before you visit.

When you search for a marriage record in Venango County, provide the full names of both parties and the approximate year of the marriage. The more detail you have, the faster the search goes. Staff can look up records going back to 1885.

For court records, the Prothonotary at 814-432-9577 handles civil and criminal cases. The statewide UJS Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us lets you search by name or case number across all Pennsylvania counties.

Under Section 1301 of Title 23, marriage records are public records in Pennsylvania. Anyone can request a copy. You do not have to be named on the license.

Historical Records in Venango County

Venango County marriage records begin in 1885, the same year Pennsylvania started requiring counties to maintain these records. Earlier records were not kept at the county level. If you need information about a marriage before 1885, check church records, family papers, or the Pennsylvania State Archives.

The county has a rich history tied to the oil industry. The Drake Well, drilled in 1859 near Titusville in neighboring Crawford County, sparked an oil boom that transformed Venango County. Franklin and Oil City grew rapidly as oil towns. Many families moved to the area during this period, and their marriage records are part of the county's collection.

The Register and Recorder's office also handles land records and accepts electronic recording through eRecording partners. While marriage records are not available through eRecording, land records from Venango County can be filed electronically. This may be useful if you are researching property along with marriage records for genealogy purposes.

The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission holds additional historical records that may include Venango County materials from before the county started keeping its own marriage records.

Copies of Venango County Records

You can get plain or certified copies of marriage records from the Register and Recorder's office. Certified copies carry the official seal and are accepted for legal purposes. Plain copies work for personal research or genealogy.

Under Section 1307 of Title 23, the clerk must record every marriage license and make it part of the public record. This means you can request a copy of any recorded marriage from Venango County.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health also issues state marriage certificates. These shorter documents confirm that a marriage took place but do not include all the details from the original county record. You can order them through VitalChek or by mail to the Division of Vital Records at PO Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103. The fee is about $20 per certified copy.

Filing the Signed Marriage License

After the wedding, the officiant must return the signed license to the clerk who issued it. Pennsylvania law under Section 1309 of Title 23 requires this within 10 days of the ceremony. Once filed at the Venango County courthouse, the marriage becomes part of the permanent public record.

If you got married in Venango County but obtained your license from another county, your record is filed in the county that issued the license. The ceremony location does not change where the record is stored. Always check with the issuing county when you need a copy.

Note: The Venango County Commissioners office can be reached at 814-432-9501 for general county questions, but marriage record requests should go to the Register and Recorder at 814-432-9539.

Nearby Counties

Venango County sits in northwestern Pennsylvania. If you need a marriage record from a nearby county, contact that county's Register and Recorder or Clerk of Orphans' Court.

View All 67 Counties